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very edge of The Dark, a place where almost no one would bother him.
    Deciding to risk it, Raven drove down the lane toward Wilson's trailer. Steam billowed from old gutters and rattled manhole covers that had been locked down by the city's engineers. When the event first happened, teams were sent into both The Dark and the tunnels to try and figure out what happened. None were ever found and now only preternaturals ventured into the area. No one wanted to know what was down in the tunnels.
    She gu ided the car around the manhole covers and got as close as she dared to The Dark before parking along the side of the street. From the car she could see that the trailer hadn't changed much in the last few months. The generator that ran Wilson's electricity had been replaced with a newer model, but otherwise things were the same. The white doublewide sagged on old leveling jacks that hadn't been touched in years, Wilson's bicycle was still lashed in place by chains usually used in restraining angry bears and all the windows were still blocked from the inside by sheets of newspaper.
    "Wilson can be real nervous around new people," Raven said as she and Levac walked toward the trailer. "Try not to make any sudden moves and keep your hands away from your pockets."
    "Is he violent?" Levac asked, looking at the abandoned buildings that surrounded Wilson's trailer. The crumbling brickwork and shattered windows were enough to give anyone the shakes.
    "No, not usually. But he could clam up on us and if he knows where those Thirst vials came from, then we need him to talk."
    "I'll follow your lead, Ray. "
    They reached the trailer and squeezed past the smoke-billowing gen erator and up the steps that led to the door. The steps creaked and groaned under their feet and Levac grabbed the handrail as if it was a life-preserver.
    "What's the matter Rupe?" Raven asked with a grin. "Afraid of some creaks and groans? Trust me, the steps are designed to make noise. Wilson knows we're here."
    "He tunes the steps?" Levac asked in surprise.
    "He's got nothing better to do in the dead of night," Raven replied.
    They reached the door and Raven knocked politely, ignoring the gaunt face peering at her from a gap in one of the windows.
    "Wilson? It's Raven. I have my partner Detective Levac with me."
    "Go… go away," Wilson stammered. "I got nothing t…t…t…to tell you."
    "Oh don't make me go through this, Wilson," Raven said. "I've got fifty bucks that says you can help me with a case."
    The door opened a crack and she could see the gaunt blue-eyed stare in the gloom.
    "Show me the c…cash!" he said.
    Raven fished in her purse and pulled out a crisp fifty-dollar bill which she held up between two fingers.
    "Fifty bucks, Wilson, I just need a name," Raven said.
    "What kind of name?" Wilson asked.
    Raven could hear him picking at the s cabs that covered his arms and tried not to let it get to her. He'd been her friend. And a good cop, once.
    "We need to know who is dealing Thirst in plain glass vials, no street name," Raven said.
    "I d… don't do Thirst no more," Wilson said, his gaunt face becoming a mask of horror.
    Levac stepped forward and smiled.
    "Mr. Wilson, I'd sure appreciate it if you could help us out," he said in his best Columbo voice. "We've got a murder on our hands and well, sir, you're our only real lead."
    "You must be Levac," Wilson said, looking the trench-coated man up and down. "I h…h…heard about you. First partner besides me to stick with Storm for more'n a week."
    "That's me," Levac said, still smiling. "Can you help us out, sir?"
    "Storm cleaned out most of the Thirst dealers around here," Wilson stuttered.
    "There has to be one left, Wilson," Raven interjected. "I found unmarked Thirst at a crime scene. Two people are dead and the Thirst was somehow involved."
    Wilson looked at Raven and Levac and Raven saw in him the good cop he had once been. "Try the warehouse district, six blocks toward the river from Club Purgatory,"